Home Improvement Stack Exchange
Home Improvement Stack Exchange

Questions tagged [breaker-box]

63 questions
31
votes
4 answers

Should all Federal Pacific panels be replaced?

I understand that Federal Panel Stab Lok breakers have the potential for becoming stuck, overheating, and starting fires. My home has a Federal Pacific panel but no outward markings of being a Stab Lok model, the breakers cannot be identified as I…
STW
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24
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13 answers

What is simplest strategy to map circuits to breakers in the panel?

My breaker box is very poorly labeled and I want to figure out which circuits may have overloaded (or close to it) and which could reasonably handle a little more. In the past I have just tried flipping one of the breakers and then running around…
auujay
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12
votes
4 answers

What is this 110/24V 60Hz transformer in the breaker room for?

My friend sent me a photograph of this transformer, which is installed above the main breaker panel, with leads running from the panel into the transformer. The stamped labels read PRI. Volts: 110 SEC. Volts: 24 CYCLES 60 However, the leads out…
msanford
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11
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8 answers

Do the breaker amp readings sum up to dictate my current panels total / possible amperage?

So I know practically nothing about houses having rented for many years, just bought a house and was told by my inspector the panel is only a 70 amp panel and will need to be upgraded before I go to install AC. I took him at his word, and had one AC…
Jimmy Hoffa
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10
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3 answers

Is it code-legal to have a circuit breaker box within a storage room?

I am currently in the process of planning a room remodel to convert an existing bedroom into a home office and storage room. One thing that makes this conversion a little bit tricky, is the existence of a breaker box at the rear corner of the…
MarkD
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9
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2 answers

Large voltage swing on incoming main hot line- definitely outside?

So for much of last fall, I had an issue of flickering lights in my house (half of the house seemed to flicker in unison). Back in December, I called the electric company, who came out, and claimed they found and tightened "a slightly loose…
MarkD
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9
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1 answer

Is some asymmetry in a breaker box normal? What about neutral to ground having voltage?

So, next in my quest to evaluate the health of my new home's electrical system, and call in professionals if needed, was some voltage checking of the panels/outlets around the house. What I have is a main 200A service in the basement, and a 100amp…
MarkD
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8
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2 answers

Can I install an additional breaker bus bar on my main breaker panel?

I'm adding several new circuits to my main electrical panel as part of a kitchen remodel. The panel with accommodate the new circuit breakers, but it does not appear to have enough neutral and ground terminals. Once complete, my panel will have 17…
bengineerd
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7
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2 answers

How should this circuit be properly grounded?

I am hiring an electrician to do the work so my question is more for my education and helping me ask the proper questions to the perspective contractors. Purchased a condo recently and want to put in some recessed lights. The condo has a subpanel…
Joe Wills
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7
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1 answer

What is a split bus panel, and how do I recognize it in the field?

I'm having trouble identifying a split bus panel. I design and install Solar systems, and lately (after Mr Wiley gave a few seminars to local inspectors) the local authority having jurisdiction (AHJ) are refusing to allow a second feed to a service…
Todd
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6
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5 answers

Does a grounding wire from a breaker panel to an outside grounding rod need to be in conduit?

I've got a breaker panel in my detached garage (it is not a sub-panel, but is a primary forked off just past the meter). The panel seems to be wired correctly- the neutral and ground bars are tied together, and a (6ga?) ground wire was run through…
MarkD
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6
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3 answers

Is it OK to have ground wire connected to breaker box wall instead of neutral bus?

After having issues with lights flickering, I noticed the main 100A breaker was warm and arcing slightly. Instead of just replacing the breaker, I decided to call in a electrician to install a larger panel with spaces for more breakers, as I was…
TD912
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5
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3 answers

How do I find what these breakers go to?

I recently mapped every appliance, receptacle, light fixture, switch to their respective breaker in the master 200A electrical panel. When I was finished I ended up with 2 20A breakers that did not go to anything I could find. The breakers were on…
Roberto
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5
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2 answers

Can I terminate a ground wire to the neutral bus if the ground bus is full?

I have a Crouse-Hinds main load center. The ground bus is at the top left of panel and the neutral bus is at the bottom right of the panel. I want to add a 15 amp circuit for two outlets in my garage. The ground bus bar terminals are full. My…
Jim
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5
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3 answers

What are my options to repair a broken tab on a bus bar?

My A/C went out this week. The problem was a broken tab on a bus bar with cut power to one phase of the 220v circuit. My HVAC guy was able to get me going again by swapping the A/C unit to the dryers breaker. I spoke with a local company on the…
Freiheit
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